Prediction six: Buckets
August 10, 2008 by Ryan Pravato
Filed under Basketball
Last season’s leading scorer was Charron Fisher of Niagra. He averaged 27.8 ppg, just beating out VMI’s Reggie Williams (27.7).
Rounding out the top five was Michael Beasley, Lester Hudson (Tennessee-Martin) and Stephen Curry.
DI scoring leaders- DI vs. DI only
With so many returning quality top (*power) conference players (Conference USA included) scattered throughout the top 30 or so of last season’s scoring list, the chances that one of them could end up leading the country in scoring this year is quite reasonable.
Top candidates for the scoring title
Luke Harangody (21.0) Notre Dame
Tyler Hansbrough (23.1) UNC
Stefon Jackson (23.6 ) UTEP
Robert Vaden (21.6) UAB
Tyrese Rice (21.0) Boston College
Other candidates…
Chase Budinger (Arizona), James Harden (ASU), Marcus Thornton (LSU), Jack McClinton (Miami Fl)
So I’m going to stick up for the big boys and predict a returning power conference player will win the scoring title. It will not necessarily be a player mentioned above, but it probably will be, because finding many others who have a realistic shot at it is tedious and unforgiving business.
Strong teams with depth never will have a guy who could score 26 plus ppg, unless of course your name is Tyler Hansbrough.
I wouldn’t put anything past that dude.
So it will be easiest for a decent team, a fringe NCAA team rather, to boast a player who can put up those kind of points.
But like most years, Joe Blow from Eastern Manitoba will take the title.
*ACC, Big Ten, Big East ,Big 12, SEC, Pac 10, Conference USA-
Sorry Stephen Curry, more facilitating than usual is in your future. Probably a top ten finish though. If Jason Richards was still playing, the title would be yours.
A Harangody-Hansborough debate is intriguing. I think Harangody takes it hands-down. Who else can score on ND? McAlarney: I guess so? Tory Jackson: No way. Hillesland: No. Ayers: No. Zeller: No.
Meanwhile, Hansborough is surrounded by blue-chippers. He just won’t get as many touches as Harangody, I think.
Vaden could be the darkhorse, just a flat out shooter.
I’d like a power conference player to do it so the stat might gain more attention… rather than a small college player-
Actually Hansbrough’s scoring average might decrease slightly, but he always finds creative ways to put up great numbers, whether it be on the glass or in transition
Ty lawson will make sure Hansbrough gets the needed touches
Vaden could be a darkhouse. He’s getting comfortable down there in UAB now and Davis is his biggest fan.
You’re right that the scoring title would gain more attention if a power conference player got it though.